PropertyMutual brings you industry relevant headlines and comment.

Farmers with incomes from diversification projects could face significant bills from their local authority if they overlook the potential pitfalls associated with business rates, an agricultural consultant warns.

A planned cut to business rate rises in England has been brought forward by two years to 2018 by the chancellor.
From April, rates will rise in line with the lower Consumer Prices Index (CPI) measure of inflation, not the Retail Prices Index (RPI).

The number of firms in “significant” financial distress has soared to almost half a million in the past year, prompting worries that tomorrow’s anticipated interest rate hike could send thousands to the wall.

More than 56,000 small businesses in England will face steep tax rises next year, research indicates.
Business rate increases will total £152m in April, rates specialist CVS said, putting a heavier burden on firms already reeling from rising inflation.
The prediction follows a drop in retail sales last month as inflation hit its highest level in more than five years.

British businesses could face an extra £1bn tax bill next year unless the Government freezes business rates, experts have warned.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics released on Tuesday showed that Retail Price Inflation (RPI) was 3.9pc in September. This figure is the one that will be used to set new business rates values in April, on top of changes to the system that came in earlier this year.

The Government minister responsible for the business rates system has claimed that the new appeals process is “working well”, despite a slew of complaints from users who are struggling to register their properties.